RLMD Finals: Best young players to watch

Coaches have nominated the best young players to watch in the Rugby League Mackay and District finals. Discover them here

Braydon Grant ‘s Sarina can secure a week off if they down Brothers on Sunday. Picture: Supplied

The Rugby League Mackay and District finals are underway.

Sarina downed Brothers 28-24 in a nail-biting qualifying final, while Moranbah crushed Souths by 40 points in the elimination final.

This Sunday, Sarina is set to take on the high-flying Magpies for a place in the decider, while Moranbah has set up a cutthroat clash with Brothers.

We’ve also profiled the competition’s toughest players and players with the most x-factor.

Find out which young players you need to keep your eye on across the remainder of the finals series below.

Cooper Hannay

Club: Moranbah Miners

Position: Lock/second-row

Cooper Hannay is the nephew of Queensland and Cowboys great Josh. And at just 17-years-old he’s turning heads, having already represented the Cutters at under-19 level this season. Is most certainly a name to keep an eye on.

Mitch Barron

Club: Moranbah Miners

Position: Centre/second-row

Barron’s a relatively young player at just 22-years-old, but has established himself at A-grade level and is consistently one of Moranbah’s best.

William Wailu

Club: Sarina Crocs

Position: Second-row

Having come through the Sarina juniors, Wailu’s now 19 and taking to A-grade level comfortably. One of this first picked in Sarina’s side, he’s very good defensively, likes heavy contact, and well equipped to running the football and playing big minutes.

William Wailu of Sarina in action. Picture: Supplied

Braydon Grant

Club: Sarina Crocs

Position: Wing/outside back

Another 19-year-old that rose through Sarina’s junior ranks, Grant has good speed, is a very smart player, and has a lot of energy around the ball. The opposition can tend to underestimate him and he’s known to cause problems when this is the case.

Braydon Grant of Sarina in action. Picture: Supplied

Harley Proctor

Club: Mackay Brothers

Position: Centre

Proctor has represented the Cutters at under-21 level, and been really consistent this year. He’s quite big and strong, but also has speed and the ability to beat his man one-on-one. A real physical presence.

Brother's Harley Proctor (right) in action. Picture: Bernadette Vella

Dan Kelly

Club: Mackay Brothers

Position: Hooker

Despite the physically demanding role of hooker, Kelly’s capable of playing 80 minutes week in week out, which is a testament to his fitness. He’s a really consistent player who understands the game really well. Brothers coach Tom Heggie said it’s like having another coach on the field when Kelly’s out there.

Brother's Dan Kelly in action. Picture: Bernadette Vella

Cody Kynaston

Club: Mackay Magpies

Position: Front-row

A Magpies junior through and through, Kynaston’s been involved with the club since the under-8s. He’s a tough front-rower that’s in his third year of playing A-grade and still learning the game.

Cody Kynaston in his under 17s days at the Magpies. Picture: Supplied.

Andrew Borg

Club: Mackay Magpies

Position: Fullback

Another Magpies junior, Borg’s been with the club since under-7s. Coach Scott Thorburn described him as a “nippy little fella” who has great foot movement and hand-eye coordination. A dual sportsman, Borg’s also a talented cricketer.

Originally published as RLMD Finals: Best young players to watch